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Bruins-Canadiens Preview

Mar 12, 2010 - 9:31 PM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

Boston (30-24-12) at Montreal (34-29-6), 7:00 p.m. EDT

The Montreal Canadiens have shaken out of a sluggish stretch and are looking for their longest winning streak in 17 months. The Boston Bruins are just trying to show some consistency.

Montreal looks for a fifth win in six meetings with its Original Six rival when this season series concludes Saturday night at Bell Centre.

The Canadiens (34-29-6) are tied with Philadelphia for sixth in the Eastern Conference, two points ahead of eighth-place Boston (30-24-12).

Montreal has made a move up the standings behind a season high-tying four-game winning streak, scoring 16 goals. This run comes after the Canadiens had lost three of four, getting held to two goals in each defeat.

They haven't won five in a row since Oct. 11-20, 2008, and they got closer to that mark with Thursday's 5-4 shootout win over Edmonton.

"We have the two points so we're happy but we have to play better," said defenseman Andrei Markov, who has a goal and six assists during a five-game point streak. "We'll be happy if we make the playoffs. That's our goal. That's why we have to play hard every game."

The Bruins, who have split the first four of their seven-game road trip, also would be pleased to reach the playoffs after losing Marc Savard for perhaps the rest of the season. The veteran center, who has 33 points in 41 games, sustained a concussion on a hit by Matt Cooke in a 2-1 loss at Pittsburgh on Sunday.

After learning Cooke would not be suspended, Boston lost 4-3 in overtime at last-place Toronto on Tuesday before beating Philadelphia 5-1 two nights later.

"If we can build a little consistency in our game it would be important," coach Claude Julien said. "It's been a struggle all year with the injuries to these key players. We have to really pick it up as individuals and as a team."

Patrice Bergeron is doing his part with two goals and three assists in the last two games, giving the center a team-leading 43 points.

"It's really hard to replace Marc," said defenseman Zdeno Chara. "He's a unique player, an unbelievable playmaker. Patrice is realizing he has to carry the offense, and he's doing a really good job. He's really playing on top of his game."

The Canadiens have been the ones on top of their game against Boston, winning four of five. They took the last meeting 4-1 on the road March 2, scoring four goals in a row in the third period.

Glen Metropolit has been a big reason for that success in the season series, getting four goals and two assists. The center had one of each against the Bruins last week but has managed the same production in five games since.

Montreal center Maxim Lapierre also scored in the last meeting, and he returns Saturday from a four-game suspension for a hit from behind on San Jose's Scott Nichol in a 3-2 win March 4.

Marco Sturm, the Bruins' leader with 21 goals, powered their only win against the Canadiens this season, scoring twice in a 3-0 road victory Feb. 7. The left wing has five goals in six games versus Montreal with one coming last week, beginning a six-game stretch that has seen him accumulate three goals and four assists.